1.) Weekends Can Start On Thursdays For Rice Students.
A number of seniors (and even some juniors, sophomores, and freshmen who play their cards right) choose class schedules that give them the luxury of three day weekends all semester long. This means that Thursday nights can be high time for letting go of all that stress from midterms and problem set deadlines. Many Rice University students head to Willy’s Pub to start the weekend right, regardless of whether they have classes the next day. Pub is one of Rice’s six student-run businesses on campus, meaning it’s entirely student run and operated. Be sure to check out Pub if you want some drinks that won’t make much of a dent in your wallet; swing by on a Keep the Glass night for a $5 specialty beer and souvenir glass.
2.) Rice Village is one of the most popular off-campus dining spots on weekends.
At Rice, students refer to the cafeterias as “serveries.” Servery food is notoriously bad on weekends, starting with Friday night. On weekends, many students leave campus thanks to the free shuttles provided by the school and head over to Rice Village for dinner out with friends. While the shuttles run regularly, those who prefer to walk don’t have to walk far to reach this upscale dining and shopping area.
A favorite Rice student spot for dinner is the famed Torchy’s Tacos, a taco shop that originated in Austin but has now taken Texas by storm. (Any club that really wants students to attend its meetings will order catering from Torchy’s.) Try the Trailer Park, the famous fried chicken taco, and round out the meal with an order of queso infused with guacamole. Remember to bring your Rice ID many restaurants and shops in the Village offer 10-20% discounts for Rice students.
3.) If it’s Friday night, take advantage of Rice’s Passport to Houston program.
Rice students often take advantage of the school’s Passport to Houston, a program created by the university president to encourage students to engage with the city and become acquainted with Houston’s many cultural offerings. A Rice ID functions as a “passport” for unlimited access to the Museum of Fine Arts, Museum of Natural Science, and Houston Zoo. Rice also provides students with a free Metro card, meaning students can take advantage of free public transportation by bus or rail. On Friday nights, the Passport Program often takes students to “Rice Nights Out.” Previous Rice Nights have given students free admission to Houston Astros games, the opera, the ballet, and the symphony. Act quickly if you want tickets, though they go fast, particularly for popular shows like the Nutcracker around Christmastime. Rice Nights are the perfect opportunity for students to dress up for an elegant night out with friends.
4.) Saturday nights are for public parties.
Almost every Saturday night of the semester features a major public party at Rice. Each of the 11 residential colleges is responsible for hosting at least one public party during the academic year. These parties are free for all Rice undergraduates and are always themed. Be sure to wear a lei to Margaritaville and bust out those designer sunglasses for Eurotrashed. Or perhaps wear little to nothing at all at Night of Decadence. Some private parties, while not officially sanctioned events, draw such a crowd that they stand among the best publics enter the Highlighter party. Whatever the party, make sure you’ve made a trip to the costume store first.
5.) But Saturday nights are also for Midtown.
Midtown is one of Houston’s gems just between the Rice/Museum District and downtown, it is one of Houston’s most diverse and eclectic neighborhoods. Not only does the area offer some of the best living options and business opportunities in the city, it also offers some of the best nightlife. Better yet, it’s completely pedestrian friendly. Rice students don’t need cars to navigate this area simply use the Metrocard that Rice provides free of charge and step off after a short eight minute ride. Then walk around to check out some of Midtown’s five star restaurants and incredible bars. Rice students most often frequent Proof, a bar whose rooftop patio serves as the backdrop to many students’ profile pictures on Facebook.
Miranda Roberts received a degree in sociology at Rice University in 2014. She considers the double Macchiato and Danish from Rice Coffeehouse the perfect way to start the day.